Instead of My Stepsister, I Have Become Engaged to the Son of a Marquis, Who Is Said to Only Have a Year Left to Live - Chapter 19

Chapter 19
Tea party between both houses

　Craig, who was standing next to Eugenie and holding her arm, spoke to her apologetically as she stared at Arche’s back as she ran away, her shoulders slumped.

“I’m sorry Arche is like that. It’s been a while since you last came to this house, so she may be confused. Could you please be lenient?”
“…Yes, of course.”

　Craig smiled encouragingly at Eugenie, who had a slightly lonely smile on her face.
　Lionel looked up again from his wheelchair at Eugenie and Craig in front of him.

“Congratulations to you both on your engagement, Eugenie and Craig.”
“…Thank you, brother.”

　Craig opened his mouth as if to say something more to Lionel, but closed it again. Lionel’s father looked around at everyone present and then spoke.

“Well, shall we move to the drawing room now? I’m sure Lady Eugenie and the others from the Spencer family are tired, and tea is already prepared.”

　Edith pushed Lionel’s wheelchair toward the drawing room, although she was a little worried about Eugenie, who was holding Craig’s arm and keeping glancing at her.

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　As Craig and Eugenie were drinking tea around the table and chatting in a harmonious atmosphere, Eugenie, as if she had suddenly noticed something, asked Edith, who was pouring tea from the small teapot in front of Lionel into his empty teacup.

“Is the tea Lionel-sama is drinking different from the black tea we drink?”

　Edith nodded at Eugenie’s words.

“Yes. The caffeine in black tea can be a bit irritating to the stomach, so I’ve put herbal tea in this pot.”
“I see… It smells nice.”

　 Edith asked, smiling back at Eugenie.

“Would you like to try some, Lady Eugenie?”
“Oh, is it okay if I have some too?”
“Yes. I’ll pour it for you right away.”

　Edith poured herbal tea into a new teacup prepared by the maid and offered it to Eugenie.
　Eugenie immediately took a sip from the teacup she had received from Edith, and a soft smile came over her face.

“…It’s delicious. It has a gentle flavor and a clean aftertaste.”

　Seeing Eugenie give Edith a beautiful smile, Edith felt a sense of relief, and her tension eased.

(I was wondering what kind of person you were, but I’m glad you seem like a nice person, Lady Eugenie. I was a little worried about Arche’s reaction when she met Lady Eugenie, though…)

　Eugenie’s father, who had been listening to Edith and his daughter’s conversation, looked at Lionel, who was still in his wheelchair at the table.

“Lord Lionel. I heard from my daughter that you had been ill and bedridden. It seems that you are much better than I had thought… How is your health now?”

　Eugenie’s father gave Lionel a searching look, to which Lionel returned a smooth smile.

“Yes, I’ve been feeling a lot better lately. Since I became engaged to Edith and she began supporting me devotedly in this home, my body has recovered incredibly well… and I owe it all to Edith.”
“Is that so? That’s the best thing. Lady Edith, you said you were from the house of Earl Oak Ridge, right?”
“……Yes, it is.”

　Although he was gentle in his manner, Edith felt that Eugenie’s father’s words had a tone of condescension due to the difference in their family status, and she was a little intimidated. As if to protect Edith, Lionel smiled at her and looked at Eugenie’s father.

“The medicine made by the Oak Ridge Earl family worked on my body, which had been steadily deteriorating. Edith herself has extensive knowledge of medicines, and in fact, it is Edith who is currently compounding my medicine. This herbal tea is also a blend of medicinal herbs that she made.”
“…Oh, is that so?”

　Eugenie’s father nodded at Lionel’s words without seeming particularly interested, then turned his gaze to Craig and his daughter, who were sitting next to him.

“I am very happy that my daughter has been engaged to Lord Craig. I have heard that Lord Craig is just as capable as Lionel was when he was still in good health.”

　Eugenie’s mother nodded in agreement with her husband’s words.

“I am happy that my daughter, Eugenie, will be joining the Marquis of Granvelle family in the near future. Please rest assured that she has the necessary knowledge to support the family.”

　Edith felt a little uneasy about Eugenie’s parents’ words. Though they didn’t say it directly, it seemed to her that they thought Craig would succeed the Marquis of Granvelle and not Lionel, who was ill.
　Edith glanced over at Eugenie and it seemed she had felt the same way; her face clouded over at what her parents had said.
　Lionel’s father rose from his chair and looked at Eugenie and the others sitting at the table.

“I am very happy that my eldest son Lionel and my second son Craig have found such wonderful fiancées. Thank you for coming to our home today.”

　The tea party came to an end, and as Eugenie and the others were getting ready to board the carriage to go home, Craig and the other members of the Marquis of Granvelle family lined up to see them off. Eugenie turned her back to head toward the carriage, then turned around again and came around to Lionel.

　Lionel had not had a proper conversation with Eugenie since exchanging a few brief words of congratulations on their engagement, so he looked a little confused in front of her, but Eugenie just stared at him intently.

“Lionel-sama. I’m glad to see that you seem to be in much better health than the last time I met you. I sincerely pray for your speedy recovery.”
“……thank you”

　Eugenie turned her gaze to Edith, who was pushing the wheelchair behind Lionel, and gave a soft smile.

“I am very happy that a wonderful person like Lady Edith is your fiance. I look forward to speaking with you again some other time.”
“Yes, with pleasure.”

　Edith returned Eugenie’s gentle smile. To Edith, Eugenie did not seem like a bad person. There was nothing ulterior about her smile or words.
　However, in the end, Arche never appeared before Eugenie and the others again that day.